Stock market ends lower on mixed earnings, defensive sector weakness Qualcomm to buy NXP; CenturyLink in talks to merge with Level 3 U.S. stocks fluctuate between slight gains and losses Thursday as an uptick in bond yields prompts a selloff in defensive sectors such as real estate and utilities while investors sift through mixed earnings results and deal news.

Colgate says sales slump to continue Colgate-Palmolive Co. reported slumping sales for the third quarter as volume slipped and the company said it expects the declines to continue through the end of the year, hurt by foreign exchange rates.

Colgate-Palmolive shares fall after sales missColgate Palmolive Co. shares fell 1.8% in Thursday premarket trading after the company reported third-quarter sales that missed consensus. Net income was $702 million, or 78 cents per share, down from $726 million, or 80 cents per share, for the same period last year. Adjusted earnings per share totaled 73 cents, meeting the FactSet consensus. Revenue totaled $3.87 billion, down from $4.0 billion for the same period last year and below the FactSet consensus of $3.94 billion. The revenue decline was due to foreign currency headwinds and deconsolidation of the company's Venezuelan operations, said Chief Executive Ian Cook in a statement. The company still sees flat full-year earnings-per-share growth and sales down in the low-to-mid single digits. Colgate-Palmolive shares are up 7% for the year so far while the S&P 500 Index is up 4.7% for the same period.

Colgate-Palmolive shares down 1.8% premarket

2:01 a.m. Oct. 27, 2016

Colgate-Palmolive still sees full-year EPS flat

2:00 a.m. Oct. 27, 2016

Colgate-Palmolive still sees full-year sales down in low to mid single digits

The market in a minute: It’s not time to step on the gas yetWith the election and more earnings just around the corner, caution is the name of the game here, with some appropriate hedging a good idea with some short-term uncertainty in the market.

Proctor & Gamble finally sees progress in ChinaProcter & Gamble Co. is clawing its way out of a hole in China as it and other global consumer-products companies struggle to make sense of the critical but increasingly tough market. Global makers of products from diapers to toothpaste have been hit by a trifecta in China of slower consumer spending, heightened competition and a rapid shift toward online shopping.

Colgate-Palmolive revenue dented by currenciesColgate-Palmolive Co.'s revenue slid more than expected in the most recent quarter, as foreign-currency headwinds dragged down results, particularly in Latin America. The company, which makes its namesake toothpaste and dish soap, does most of business abroad and has struggled with the stronger U.S. dollar, making products more expensive to overseas consumers.

Colgate-Palmolive revenue dented by currenciesColgate-Palmolive Co.'s revenue slid more than expected in the most recent quarter, as foreign currency headwinds dragged down results, particularly in Latin America. The company, which makes its namesake toothpaste and dish soap, does most of business abroad and has struggled with the stronger U.S. dollar, making products more expensive to overseas consumers.

Colgate-Palmolive shares rise after earnings beat estimatesColgate-Palmolive Co. shares rose 0.9% after second-quarter earnings beat estimates and the company guided for an earnings gain for the year. Colgate-Palmolive reported net income of $600 million, or 67 cents per share, up from $574 million, or 63 cents per share, for the same period last year. Adjusted earnings were 70 cents per share, flat with last year and above the 69 cents per share FactSet consensus. Revenue for the quarter totaled $3.85 billion, down from $4.01 billion for the same period last year and below the $3.86 billion FactSet consensus. Foreign currency headwinds resulted in a 5.5% sales decline, Chief Executive Ian Cook said in a statement. The company expects adjusted earnings per share for the year to be flat with 2015 on a dollar basis. Colgate-Palmolive shares are up 10% for the year so far, while the S&P 500 Index is up 6% for the same period.

How to prepare for stock market volatility One way: Buy shares of companies that do well in times of fluctuating pricesOne way: Buy shares of companies that do well in times of fluctuating prices, says Michael Brush.

Revlon to buy rival Elizabeth Arden for $420MRevlon Inc. agreed to buy rival Elizabeth Arden Inc. on Thursday, months after Revlon's largest shareholder contemplated putting the cosmetics company up for sale itself. The $420 million all-cash deal will expand Revlon's presence in categories such as skin care and perfume and give it a broader geographic footprint, creating a company with combined annual sales of roughly $3 billion.

These dividend ‘kings’ have had average annual returns of up to 21% for 25 years Eighteen U.S. companies have increased their dividends for at least half a centuryEighteen U.S. companies have increased their dividends for at least half a century, writes Phil van Doorn.

Phoenix Brands files for bankruptcy protectionPhoenix Brands LLC, the closely held consumer products company behind Ajax cleaners and Fab laundry detergents, filed for bankruptcy protection and is putting its collection of household products on the auction block.

Revlon swings to profit as sales riseRevlon Inc. said it swung to a profit as revenue climbed in the latest quarter, helped by lower but still persistent foreign currency headwinds. Revlon Chief Executive Fabian Garcia said that while consumer sales in the U.S. decreased slightly, "consumption remained strong and we gained share during the quarter.

Colgate-Palmolive's stock surges toward record close after Goldman Sachs upgradeColgate-Palmolive Co.'s stock surged 1.8% toward a record high, after Goldman Sachs analyst Jason English threw in the towel on his bearish call on the consumer products company, saying the downside risks to earnings estimates have subsided. English raised his rating to neutral, after being at sell since April 19, 2015. He raised his stock price target to $75, which is 3.9% above current levels, from $62. Since he went to sell on the stock, it has gained 4.3% while the S&P 500 has lost 1.5%. "[Colgate-Palmolive's] earnings visibility has improved of last as [currency] stabilizes, commodities remain benign and the company's volume growth ticked higher," English wrote in a note to clients. The stock is set to close above the previous record close of $71.66 seen on April 19, 2016. The stock has run up 8.4% year to date, while the SPDR Consumer Staples ETF has gained 4.3% and the S&P 500 has tacked on 1.5%.

Colgate-Palmolive profit, revenue hurt by dollarColgate-Palmolive Co. on Thursday posted a decline in quarterly earnings and revenue as foreign exchange headwinds continued to take a toll on results, especially in Latin America. The maker of its namesake toothpaste, Palmolive dishsoap and Lady Speed Stick deodorant does most of its business overseas and has been hard hit by the strong U.S.

Colgate-Palmolive tops sales expectations, matches on profitColgate-Palmolive Co. reproted Thursday first-quarter earnings of $533 million, or 59 cents a share, compared with $542 million, or 59 cents a share, in the same period a year ago. Excluding one-time restructuring charges, earnings per share came to 63 cents, matching the FactSet consensus of 63 cents. Revenue fell 7.5% to $3.76 billion, as sales declines in Asia, Europe and Latin America offsetting an increase in North America, but still beat the FactSet consensus of $3.75 billion. Looking ahead, the consumer products company expects adjusted 2016 EPS to be flat with 2015, while the FactSet consensus calls for EPS to decline to $2.77 from $2.81. The stock, which was still inactive in premarket trade, has gained 4% year to date, while the S&P 500 has tacked on 2.5%.

Colgate-Palmolive sees 2016 EPS flat with a year ago; FactSet consensus of $2.77 down from $2.81

Apple, Exxon expected to drag on earnings during peak week April Fed policy meeting, GDP reading also on tapCompanies representing more than a third of the S&P 500’s market cap report earnings in the coming week, with results from Apple and Facebook, as well as energy giants Exxon Mobil Corp. and Chevron Corp.

Revlon appoints Fabian T. Garcia as CEO Revlon Inc. announced Fabian T. Garcia as its new chief executive officer and president Monday. Garcia was previously an executive with Colgate-Palmolive Company and at the Timberland Company. Garcia will start April 15, 2016 and will also serve as a member of Revlon's board of directors. Shares of Revlon have gained 3% in the past month compared to the S&P 500's gain of 4.5%.

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